Leg swelling after aortic surgery

Thirty patients undergoing aorto-femoral reconstruction, during which i.v. heparin was used, are reviewed (19 bilateral and 11 unilateral procedures). No operation was performed therefore on 11 of 60 limbs. Ankle swelling occurred in 12 operated limbs (9 transient and 3 permanent swelling) and 1 non operated limb. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurred in 7 limbs and in only 3 of these was swelling coincident (1 permanent swelling). The coincidence of limb swelling and DVT of the arterial reconstruction is insignificant.